Genesis 37:29-36

New International Version

²⁹ When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes.^{(A) 30} He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”^(B)

³¹ Then they got Joseph’s robe,^(C) slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood.^{(D) 32} They took the ornate robe^(E) back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.”

³³ He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal^(F) has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.”^(G)

³⁴ Then Jacob tore his clothes,^(H) put on sackcloth^(I) and mourned for his son many days.^{(J) 35} All his sons and daughters came to comfort him,^(K) but he refused to be comforted.^(L) “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son^(M) in the grave.^(N)” So his father wept for him.

³⁶ Meanwhile, the Midianites^[a](O) sold Joseph^(P) in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.^(Q)